Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Public Hearing
July 8, 2014
Chairman Matt Montowski called the Public Hearing to order on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at
7:00 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw,
Lee Short, Ryan Long, Terry Delia, Len Partin, Ron Goehring, John Meister, Debbie Meister, Diane Price, John Pekar, Randy Riedmaier and Jack DeVore.
Matt Montowski explained application #668034 where as the owner, Croghan Colonial Bank, requests a change in zoning from “A” Residential to “C-4” Light Commercial for lots 24, 32, and 41 of Gem Beach Subdivision, Plat 2, in Catawba Island Township, at 3058 Carolina Street. The parcel contains three (3) lots and the present building is vacant. In the past the building was used as a Yacht Club.
Karen Shaw read a letter of recommendation from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission. As noted the applicant would like to develop the property into multi-family residential units by renovating the existing building into three (3) condominiums. The single story portion of the building would possibly be used as a garage for parking. The adjoining land uses are single family dwellings to the east and west, a restaurant and clothing store to the south, condominiums to the north, and a boat repair/storage building to the southwest. The adjoining zoning is “A” Residential Low Density and the condominiums to the north across Poplar Avenue are zoned
“C-4” Recreational Commercial.
The Catawba Island Township Land Use Plan recommends the area for High Density/ Recreational-Commercial uses and the “C-4” zoning meets the recommendation.
The Ottawa Regional Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request in the letter submitted to the township.
Matt Montowski said the Zoning Commission met on June 25 and recommended approval of the request as submitted.
Lee Short, architect for Terry Delia, spoke on his behalf stating Terry Delia is the potential owner of the property although Croghan Colonial Bank is the current owner. He said the intention is to renovate the existing building and not change the footprint of the building.
Lee Short said the lower portion of the two story building would be converted into two
1,400 sq. ft. single family homes and the 2,800 sq. ft. upper floor would become a single family home with all three being designed as condominiums. He said Terry Delia would like the option to rent out the two lower units.
A lengthy conversation look place regarding the zoning request change.
Gary Mortus said he likes the plan but expressed his concern that a change to C-4 would allow the property to be used as other permitted uses besides residential in future years. Gary Mortus said he would feel better if a deed restriction stipulating residential use only were placed on the deed by the property owner.
Neighboring property owners John Meister, Debbie Meister, Diane Price, and John Pekar all expressed their approval of the intended use of converting the existing building to condominiums.
William Rofkar made a motion to close the discussion to the floor. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski said he feels the intended use is appropriate and he is in favor.
William Rofkar said he feels residential is a good intended use of the property although he agreed there is no way to guarantee future use.
Gary Mortus said a zoning change stays with the property and he is trying to protect the surrounding residents from potential permitted uses in the future like a fish cleaning business etc.
The Trustees discussed the request.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the zoning change request, application #668034, as submitted. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: William Rofkar, aye; Matt Montowski, aye; Gary Mortus, opposed. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
_______________________________ ______________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
ks